The Head of the Charles returns again in 2025 for its 60th year of racing. The Men’s Championship Doubles at the Head of the Charles is a specialist’s race. Elite rowers from across the world face three miles and seven bridges up the Charles River in Boston. With Olympic medallists and Charles winners on the start line, the Sy Cromwell Trophy will be won by the pairing that can handle the pressure of the Charles the most.
Belfast BC & Skibbereen (Philip Doyle/Fintan McCarthy)
Philip Doyle arrives as the Paris 2024 bronze medallist in the men’s double sculls, while Fintan McCarthy is a two-time Olympic champion in the lightweight double. That is the strongest recent championship résumé in the field, and it sets a clear benchmark. If they manage the busy middle third, recent Olympic form suggests they will be very hard to catch.
Waikato Rowing Club (Karl Manson/Dan Manson)
Brother pairings have an excellent record on the Charles, not least the Sinković brothers, who won this event last year and still hold the championship doubles course record from 2014. The Manson brothers bring high-end sculling experience and a coherent partnership, which historically converts well over the Charles’ sequence of bends and bridges. Expect them to measure themselves against the front splits and stay in the medal argument deep into the final mile.
Penn AC (Jaime Copus/John Graves)
A compelling home-river podium threat. John Graves has won the men’s championship singles on the Charles and knows exactly where seconds are banked and lost; Jamie Copus stood on the championship doubles podium in 2024 as part of a composite crew. That blend of course knowledge and fresh podium evidence places Penn AC squarely among the favourites.
Itchen Imperial Rowing Club (James Cracknell/Harry Aitchison)
A reunion with pedigree. James Cracknell (not to be confused with the serial world champion and Olympic gold medallist) and Harry Aitchison add contemporary sculling quality. Crucially, this combination returns in the same line-up as last season, which should translate into cleaner execution through the congested sections and keep them within striking distance of the podium.
Penn AC (Michael Herman / Cedar Cunningham)
Two USA internationals with recent senior-team exposure strengthen Penn AC’s overall hand. Michael Herman has raced the men’s double at world level, while Cedar Cunningham has featured in the men’s eight. If the lead group compresses in traffic around the Cambridge bend, this is a crew well placed to profit.
Prediction
- Belfast BC & Skibbereen (Philip Doyle/Finatan McCarthy) – unmatched recent Olympic credentials and expertise in the double scull make this matchup the obvious choice for taking the win.
- Waikato Rowing Club (Karl Manson/Dan Manson) – the most likely pursuers of the Doyle and McCarthy double; this sibling unit have the credentials to keep some high pressure on the leaders.
- Penn AC (Jamie Copus/John Graves) – strong course knowledge and recent podium evidence make a strong case for this boat from Penn AC to make the final step with the potential of pushing ahead from third place.
